Young FG seeks drug legalisation

The youth branch of the country’s biggest political party is seeking the legalisation of marijuana for medical purposes.

A motion on the issue was emphatically carried at the Garret FitzGerald Summer School, organised by Young Fine Gael, in Killarney at the weekend.

The Munster Regional Council branch, which tabled the motion, stressed that it was not in favour of making the drug available for recreational purposes, but it supported its availability to help terminally or critically ill patients.

The branch said there is evidence to suggest that marijuana can help patients with multiple sclerosis, cancer, glaucoma or Aids.

"This is not about smoking joints. This is about revolutionising health care," a spokesman said.

"It can be controlled to ensure that only those who need it have access to it. Who are we to deny them that compassion?"